I just got back in to RC after 25+ years (wow how things have changed ... for the better!) and have been having a blast with the foamy "thing"! I was using an old flat closet door for a table and cardboard under my foam to protect it while cutting/building. As I went along, the cardboard got rough and had to be replaced often. Then I started running out of good smooth cardboard to use.
Being the "Cheap-o" that I am (with a capital "C"), everytime I went to price "real" cutting boards (are they expensive or what?), I couldn't make the "connection" between hand and wallet to purchase one large enough to be useful.
One night in the garage I happened to spot a stack of left-over laminate flooring boards. (You know, the boards my wife tried to get me to throw away a gazillion times because they were just taking-up precious space in the garage!) I put together about 4 of the boards which made a very nice and smooth work surface about 30"x 50". This particular stuff is Armstrong and is as tuff as nails. I try to be careful, but occasionally I've gotten through to the laminate surface with the Xacto blade. So far I have seen some very fine scratches which pretty much disappear with the wipe of a finger. Nothing yet that would cause any problems to the foam.
Anyway, I haven't seen anyone else mention using laminate flooring for a building surface/cutting board. Maybe some fellow "cheap-o's" might have some laying around, or could pick-up some left-over pieces or samples at their local flooring store for free or cheap. So far it is working beautifully!
Maybe this will work for someone out there!
Walt
Being the "Cheap-o" that I am (with a capital "C"), everytime I went to price "real" cutting boards (are they expensive or what?), I couldn't make the "connection" between hand and wallet to purchase one large enough to be useful.
One night in the garage I happened to spot a stack of left-over laminate flooring boards. (You know, the boards my wife tried to get me to throw away a gazillion times because they were just taking-up precious space in the garage!) I put together about 4 of the boards which made a very nice and smooth work surface about 30"x 50". This particular stuff is Armstrong and is as tuff as nails. I try to be careful, but occasionally I've gotten through to the laminate surface with the Xacto blade. So far I have seen some very fine scratches which pretty much disappear with the wipe of a finger. Nothing yet that would cause any problems to the foam.
Anyway, I haven't seen anyone else mention using laminate flooring for a building surface/cutting board. Maybe some fellow "cheap-o's" might have some laying around, or could pick-up some left-over pieces or samples at their local flooring store for free or cheap. So far it is working beautifully!
Maybe this will work for someone out there!
Walt